Theodosis Karageorgakis (M.Ed) is a Learning Designer & Developer at CARDET and founder of Educraft.tech. Over the past ten years, he has earned distinction by developing award-winning e-learning and training programs for both academic and corporate sectors. Theodosis is an international speaker committed to crafting and providing engaging, practical and compelling learning experiences for his trainees. Additionally, he maintains a strong social media presence, where he assists educators in enhancing their skills on topics such as artificial intelligence, educational technology, and instructional design.
- How do you see artificial intelligence revolutionizing the landscape of foreign language teaching and learning?
Let me point out something crucial. Artificial intelligence has been around for a while now. For example, Amazon's Alexa and Google's Assistant are AI models that have been in use for years. But how many teachers have incorporated Google Nest for example to help develop their students' cognitive and speaking skills? Very few. Teachers are the driving force that can determine how this technology is used. Afterall, the tools can’t do everything on their own. They need a person in charge. So, no matter how advanced or revolutionary a technology may be, its impact depends on how willing and prepared teachers and policymakers are to adopt it. That said, I believe AI can significantly benefit language learning, but it is not yet revolutionizing the field.
- What specific AI technologies do you believe hold the most promise for enhancing foreign language education, and why?
There are several options that can be used on both a macro and micro level. From image generators which can be used to help learners practice basic vocabulary to speech recognition software that can listen to learners speak and improve their pronunciation and fluency. Additionally, chatbots allow learners to practice conversation skills and language use in realistic scenarios. Besides learners, chatbots can also help teachers for various tasks like generating content for assessments or suggesting activities for the classroom. Obviously, there are even more advanced AI tools that can be utilized on a macro level. For example, adaptive learning systems can be utilized to adjust lessons or activities tailored to each individual's weaknesses, enabling efficient personalized practice. There are also the big data analytics. These can assist by analyzing and extracting learner data that can consequently be used to create even more effective learning material.
- Can you provide examples of successful implementations of AI in foreign language teaching? What were the key factors contributing to their success?
There are several good options to choose from. For example, Duolingo uses adaptive learning paths that understand how well users are doing. This allows it to create personalized content for them, thus making it more effective. Pronounce and ELSA Speak are other good options. They analyze a user's speech through dialogues and conversations and provide suggestions on how to improve intonation, fluency, and language usage. In addition, some popular apps have embedded AI features. For instance, the gamification apps Kahoot and Quizizz have incorporated automatic quiz generation. This helps teachers quickly create fun classroom activities.
What makes these apps effective is their focused approach. Rather than trying to be universal solutions that do many things, they concentrate on a specific niche. This means that if you want to use AI in the classroom, you'll likely need multiple specialized tools. There won't be a one-size-fits-all solution that can do everything. You'll have to use different apps for different purposes. The key is finding tools that excel at their particular function, instead of mediocre apps that try to do too much.
- How do you ensure that AI-driven language learning platforms accommodate diverse learning styles and individual student needs effectively?
First things first. There is no real, scientific evidence for different learning styles. Research has thoroughly debunked this myth. However, students do have diverse needs that benefit from tailored instruction. And this is where AI-driven language learning platforms come into play. They track student progress and choices, using analytics to customize content based on strengths, weaknesses, and pace. Their content isn't just pre-made. It can be generated on the spot, essentially responding to how the learner interacts with the content that it's present. This creates a dynamic, adaptive learning experience that traditional apps can't match.
- What are some potential challenges or limitations associated with integrating AI into foreign language education, and how can they be addressed?
It’s no secret that students are already utilizing resources such as ChatGPT to assist them with their homework. Relying solely on AI or delegating all homework to AI could cripple their creativity, writing, and critical thinking skills. Additionally, what worries me a lot is the huge rise of deepfakes and hallucinations that we will be seeing in the future. This, while not language-specific, may have serious consequences; most importantly undermining public trust in education. To address this, policymakers, teachers, and designers should take a couple of steps. First, they have to teach students to use AI responsibly and ethically. Second, they must thoroughly research and experiment with tools before incorporating a tool into the classroom.
- In what ways can AI be utilized to facilitate personalized learning experiences for language learners, particularly in large classroom settings?
As we've already discussed, there are indeed tools capable of facilitating personalized learning, but they require the learner to have access to a computer screen. So, let's ask ourselves this: How many classrooms are there that offer a computer to each student? And even if there are a few, the cost for utilizing software for personalized learning for every student would be extremely high.
Therefore, it's crucial to first address certain infrastructure issues and secondly have realistic expectations when it comes to any new technology that appears. Despite rapid progress in the field, the reality is that current AI-powered tools don’t possess the capabilities to address every classroom-related challenge we encounter and even if they do, they might be really costly. Thus, while AI holds promise for transforming education - especially in terms of personalizing learning experiences- we must acknowledge the present limitations.
- How can AI-powered tools assist language instructors in assessing and providing feedback on students' language proficiency and progress?
Teachers now have access to a wide range of AI-powered tools that can assist with many tasks, greatly improving their productivity. Chatbots like ChatGPT or Claude can generate content once given information about the learning audience, evaluation methods, and curriculum framework. Additionally, teaching assistants like Eduaide and MagicSchool can also streamline content creation and other processes such as assessing and providing feedback. But the future looks even more promising with tools currently being developed that can scan student work and provide detailed analysis on their mistakes, giving tailored feedback.
- What ethical considerations should be taken into account when deploying AI technologies in foreign language education, and how can they be addressed to ensure fairness and transparency?
Unfortunately, there is currently no universal or government policy that ensures fairness and ethical usage of AI. However, I believe schools and teachers can take steps to use AI responsibly. As mentioned before, schools should audit AI systems for bias before adopting them, as the training data may lack diversity or promote stereotypes. Thus, it’s important to thoroughly examine the algorithms and datasets for fairness. Additionally, student privacy is a concern. Schools should only collect the data absolutely necessary to improve learning. Clear consent procedures need to be established that explain how student data will be used. Finally, the teacher's role is crucial. Teachers must be proactive in supporting students by explaining the abilities and limitations of AI tools. Teachers need to guide their students on how to use AI in a beneficial way that doesn’t cripple their critical thinking or cognitive abilities. In fact, I believe that teachers’ perceptions and actions are key for the successful and ethical adoption of AI in education.
